The Press., 1887-07-07

erly, bright boys and girls seeking an ed ucation. There are, too, in larger towns, villages and cities some pupils for whom the academy is a much better place for ed ucation, and whose parents prefer to send them to O we'll established academy. Sec ond, besides, the academy has shown itself to be a superior place for study and effort, where more can be accomplished in study, and more manhood developed than in the town school. A writer in the New Eng-' lander, Q very careful observer of the times and of men, Nathan Allen of Lowell, ,- has said "We believe these old acade- mics were the best institutions ever de- vised, for educating young men and young women, so as to secure the great objects of life. And no institutions have done more, not merely iu preparing young men for college, but in elevating the character of the people and raising the standard of education in New England, than the acs,- emy. The high school may do much this work, but not all, nor yet to so E. d advantage. Even the high school wound suffer by the discontinuance of the a. d my with its higher standards and exanIp, . and greater stimulus for the mind. lhIri. But the superiority of the academy 's se il more in its influence in forming n al and religious character, so that the u x pCOplO "hO SO d"dJ lIOu lu9 bC ~ I'll feel that they have been surrou d d.. by higher and better influence, aud Ina " of them to live new and better lives the constitution of Phillips Exeter ac q my 1T is stated: "The first and princp 1 ueslgn of this institution Is the promotI I ,n the promotion of virtue and true pi' ty Ill eful knowledge being subservient |, e eto. And this high object can certainly ne bet ter secured in the academy Illau m the high school. The great teacIet-, too, at Exeter and Andover academies nu, Willis ton seminary, as of MonsOu e ,demy, have been godly men, living reii sinu and giving instruction in the Bibl d if ever the time comes when this gre .t eld IS lost sight of, the glory and the strength of Monson academy are gone, d except as religious aud christian scho ,I wIll have no very strong hold on its aldmui nor the public at large.
 There is something in the atmosphere of the school, as of the family that determines the character of its members-what the children shall be in life In the great fu- ture of our country there will always be n place for an institution which has such q record as Monson academy in training men for the great duties of life. But have We not schools enough? Perhaps there may be schools enough where Latin, Greek and mathematics only are taught. But of schools which teach the languages, malhe- matics and science in the best way, with that higher training that makes men and statesmen and good citizens, praying faith. CTS and praying mothers, We have not enough and cannot afford to lose what we have. If tree is to be judged by its fruit, surely Monson academy is not to be numbered among the barren fig trees which produce nothing but leaves. Her record is high and noble. Her pupils have gathered here in large numbers on this day to do hOuor to the alma mater who has done such good service iu the past, and to pray for its equal prosperity and usefulness in the future.
 As I have looked over the list of our alumni found in all walks of life doing good service for their country and the church, as have read their expressions of regard for the academy, as shown in their responses to the invitations sent out by our committee, and in their generous gifts for this new building we dedicate today, as gaze, too, on the numerous faces oi these friends of the school, who greet us here on this joyful occasion, am sure oui alma mater may proudly exclaim, with Cornelia of old: "These are my jewels. , And long may she live to bless the genera. tions to come, as she has the generations Dast